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October is the perfect time to revisit a song about a bizarre creature that sounds like it escaped from a Halloween nightmare. But the monster at the center of Sheb Wooley’s 1958 hit “The Purple People Eater” wasn’t interested in terrorizing anyone.

Instead, the one-eyed, one-horned, flying creature came to Earth with a surprisingly wholesome ambition: to get a job in a rock ’n’ roll band.

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The novelty song became one of the year’s most unexpected chart sensations, spending six weeks at No. 1 on the U.S. pop chart and selling millions of copies. More than six decades later, its strange premise and unmistakable sound have helped it endure as a seasonal favorite whenever spooky songs return to the spotlight.

Inspiration for ‘The Purple People Eater’

The inspiration for “The Purple People Eater” reportedly came from a riddle shared with Wooley by songwriter Don Robertson, whose son had heard it at school. The question asked what had one eye, one horn, could fly, and ate people. The answer gave Wooley the foundation for a novelty song that would become his signature musical success.

At the time, Wooley was already an established performer with experience as both a musician and an actor. But the silly song departed from the more conventional material he had been writing.

According to The Los Angeles Times, Wooley’s wife and manager, Linda Dotson, bluntly recalled the record label’s initial reaction, “They did not like it.”

Wooley recorded the song anyway, reportedly using time left over at the end of a recording session. And, of course, the label’s hesitation didn’t last. When employees gathered to listen to the recording, their enthusiasm helped persuade MGM Records to release it.

How Sheb Wooley Created the Monster’s Unforgettable Voice

One reason the song remains so recognizable is its high-pitched, almost cartoonish vocal performance. Wooley achieved the effect by recording his voice at a slower speed and then speeding it up in playback. He used a similar technique on the creature’s saxophone part, giving the instrument an unusual, toy-like sound.

The recording also tapped into the era’s fascination with space and the possibility of extraterrestrial life. In a 1982 interview quoted by IMDb, Wooley reflected on the cultural moment that helped inspire the song.

“The Space Age was upon us,” he said. “Everyone was thinking about rockets and wondering if maybe we would find people up there.”

That backdrop added an extra layer of appeal. Its visitor from outer space was strange enough to capture listeners’ imaginations, but the creature’s musical ambitions made it more amusing than frightening.

The Hit Became a Pop-Culture Phenomenon

When “The Purple People Eater” reached No. 1 in 1958, it quickly became more than a novelty record. TIME reported that the song sold 1.5 million copies within nine weeks, and merchandise inspired by the creature, including horned hats, T-shirts, buttons, dolls, and even ice cream, appeared in stores.

The success also spawned imitations and follow-up recordings, as other musicians tried to capitalize on the public’s appetite for eccentric songs about fantastical creatures. Wooley himself recorded a sequel, “Purple People Eater Plays Earth Music,” while other novelty tracks brought the character together with similarly oddball musical figures.

Wooley’s career extended far beyond the song. He appeared in films, including High Noon and The Outlaw Josey Wales, and played Pete Nolan on the television Western Rawhide, which also featured Clint Eastwood. Still, “The Purple People Eater” remained the recording most closely associated with his name.

Why ‘The Purple People Eater’ Still Fits Halloween

The song’s longevity rests on a simple but enduring joke: A creature with a frightening name turns out to have relatively harmless intentions. Instead of attacking the human world, it wants to join a band and make music.

That mix of spooky imagery, playful absurdity, and an instantly recognizable sound has kept the recording in circulation through generations of novelty-song compilations and Halloween playlists. The track has also appeared in later entertainment, including the 1988 film Purple People Eater and the animated movie Monsters vs. Aliens.

For Wooley, the unlikely success of a song he recorded almost as an afterthought became a lasting part of his legacy. As Halloween approaches, the creature’s bizarre journey from a schoolyard riddle to a six-week No. 1 hit reminds us that sometimes the strangest ideas make the most memorable pop music.

Related: Elizabeth Holmes, Star of ‘You Can See Everything,’ Once Revealed Her Favorite Song—And It Answers So Much

Stephen King has written and published 67 novels since 1974, and it turns out his very first one is still making impressive waves. The talented writer’s debut, Carrie, is a thrilling novel about Carrie White, a bullied teen girl in high school who has telekinetic powers and gets pushed to her breaking point after being humiliated by a cruel prank at her prom. After being adapted into a film in 1976, the story quickly became known as not just one of the essential must-read horror novels of all time, but one of the essential must-watch horror movies of all time.

In addition to being recognized as an overall epic movie, Carrie is now being recognized for its disturbingly memorable ending, in Entertainment Weekly‘s “20 Best Horror Movie Endings of All Time” list. The supernatural’s disturbingly memorable conclusion, which includes the title character, played by Sissy Spacek, coming face to face with her abusive mother and burning down their house, was ranked at No. 6, proving it’s still impactful 50 years later.

The classic film, directed by Brian De Palma, is one of four film adaptations of Carrie, which includes a sequel and a television movie. On Oct. 7, the first miniseries based on the novel premiered on Amazon Prime. The 8-episode feature was created by Mike Flanagan and is a modernized reimagining of the story, introducing an entire new generation to the characters and the devastating effects torment can lead to.

King, dotingly dubbed as the “King of Horror” by many fans and critics, expressed his support for the new show when he called Flanagan the “best adapter” of his work, in a video message on social media. He also encouraged followers to watch the new adaptation and teased that their interest could lead to Flanagan doing “something else that’s really special.”

Carrie is one of two King novel adaptations on EW’s “20 Best Horror Movie Endings of All Time” list. The second is The Mist, a 2007 film based on King’s 1980 novella of the same name.

Dancing With the Stars pro Val Chmerkovskiy has received a one-week suspension from the competition over comments he made about judge Carrie Ann Inaba and will not be dancing with his celebrity partner Jenna Dewan on Tuesday.

Chmerkovskiy sparked controversy the day after the show’s “Super Bowl Night,” during which Inaba offered harsh criticism of Chmerkovskiy’s wife, DWTS pro Jenna Johnson, and her partner, Harry Shum Jr.

In a since-deleted post, Chmerkovskiy reacted to Inaba’s comments, writing, “You almost saw Fresh Prince enter the ballroom last night,” seemingly referencing Will Smith slapping Chris Rock at the 2022 Oscars.

In a statement released on Saturday, Oct. 17, BBC Studios addressed the controversy, saying, “The well-being of everyone who works on Dancing with the Stars is non-negotiable. Val’s social media post was inappropriate and does not reflect the values or standards expected of anyone connected with the show. As a result, he will not participate in next week’s show.”

BBC Studios confirmed that Dewan will instead perform with Alan Bersten during the show’s annual “Dedication Night,” with a dance dedicated to Dewan’s mother, Nancy.

RELATED: Val Chmerkovskiy Breaks Silence on ‘DWTS’ Suspension

Bersten and his partner, Food Network star Giada De Laurentiis, were eliminated in week 2 of the competition. Since then, Bersten has been performing in group numbers and in the background of other couples’ performances alongside the troupe and other eliminated pros.

Neither Dewan nor Bersten have publicly spoken about their new dance partnership.

Prior to the controversy, Dewan and Chmerkovskiy were set to perform a Viennese waltz to “Unchained Melody” by The Righteous Brothers for Tuesday’s episode.

DWTS airs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC and Disney+.

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Toile print can make even the simplest table setting feel like something straight out of a charming country cottage. The classic pattern, traditionally depicting pastoral scenes, landscapes and delicate illustrations, has been a home decor favorite for centuries. And while it might bring to mind antique china or your grandmother’s favorite dinnerware, toile is having a moment in modern entertaining, too. With the right colors and styling, it can feel just as fresh as it does timeless.

That’s where Target comes in with a pretty tableware find that deserves a spot in your hosting rotation. The retailer’s four-pack of green toile appetizer plates offers a lovely way to add a touch of vintage-inspired personality to your table without committing to a full set of patterned dishes. Even better, the green hue makes these plates versatile enough to use well beyond the holiday season.

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Threshold Heirloom Appetizer Plates, Green Toile, 4-Pack, $16.99 at Target

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Priced at just $16 for a set of four, the Threshold 4-Pack Heirloom Appetizer Plates in Green Toile features a leafy toile print in a pretty green hue against a white background. The delicate design has a classic, almost heirloom-quality look, while the green-and-white color combination keeps the plates feeling fresh and easy to style.

These six-inch stoneware plates have an irregular rim that adds a subtle handmade touch. They’re also microwave- and dishwasher-safe, making them practical for everyday use as well as entertaining.

Of course, the timing couldn’t be better for holiday hosts. Picture these plates arranged around a table with a cheese board, bowls of olives, crackers, nuts or bite-sized desserts. They would look right at home alongside brass candlesticks, linen napkins, evergreen branches and other festive accents. For Thanksgiving, the green pattern pairs beautifully with earthy browns, creamy whites, and warm wood tones. At Christmas, add red berries, gold details or a few sprigs of fresh rosemary for a more seasonal look.

Related: Aldi’s Pre-Lit Tabletop Cypress Trees Are Just $10, and We’re Spruced Up About It

Target’s Green Toile Appetizer Plates Are a Seasonal Staple

But unlike dinnerware covered in snowflakes, pumpkins or other holiday-specific motifs, these plates won’t need to be packed away once the festivities end. Their leafy pattern makes them an equally lovely choice for spring brunches, summer garden parties and casual lunches year-round. Style them with fresh flowers and pastel linens in spring, or pair them with woven placemats and natural textures as the weather warms.

They’re also a smart option for anyone who enjoys mixing and matching tableware instead of buying a completely coordinated collection. The green-and-white palette complements solid white dishes, neutral serving pieces and other botanical prints without making the table feel overly busy. Because the set includes four plates, it’s an easy way to add personality to your existing dinnerware without a major investment.

At $17, these Threshold plates prove you don’t need an overflowing shopping cart to create a memorable tablescape. A small serving piece with a beautiful pattern is all it takes to make the appetizers feel a little more special. Whether you’re hosting a holiday gathering or simply serving afternoon treats, these green toile plates bring timeless charm to the table no matter the season.

Related: Costco’s Gorgeous Blue Stoneware Serve Bowl and Platter Set Looks Like a Vintage Treasure

Ina Garten and her husband, Jeffrey Garten, have been married for 57 years, after tying the knot on December 22, 1968. However, just a few years into their marriage, the pair separated, and now, she’s opened up about what motivated the temporary split and her husband’s surprising reaction.

“I wanted the freedom to do whatever I wanted to do,” Ina said during the October 15 episode of “The Mel Robbins Podcast” while discussing the separation, which lasted for four months in the 1970s. “I also had never lived on my own. I really didn’t know who I was on my own. I went from my parents’ house to Jeffrey’s house, and I just felt like I needed to find out who I was on my own.”

On top of that, Ina felt like she was “neglecting” her relationship with Jeffrey. At the time, she was busy with her specialty food store, and his work saw him commuting from Washington, D.C. to the Hamptons.

Ina noted, “He would come to West Hampton on the weekends when I was the busiest, and then he would leave on Sunday night to go back just when I had a moment to breathe.”

When Ina explained to Jeffrey how she was feeling, he had an unexpected and encouraging reaction.

“He said the thing that was the most difficult to walk away from: ‘If you feel like you need to be on your own, you need to be on your own,'” Ina recalled. “Which made me just love him more, which was really hard. He wasn’t mad. He was incredibly empathetic.”

Ina ended up getting the freedom she desired while living in a “terrible little apartment” in New York as Jeffrey traveled for work. However, they stayed connected throughout their time apart.

“I kinda went down the rabbit hole and Jeffrey used to call and check on me, which was really lovely,” Ina said. “He didn’t try and solve the problem. He just gave me the access to surround myself with people that could help — and that’s what I did.”

She added, “I also knew that he was incredibly loving about the way he let me go through that process. It was really important for me to figure it out. I learned a lot about myself, and I learned a lot about him.”

That’s perhaps one of the reasons why, when they reconnected, she says, it was like “falling in love with this incredible guy who just happens to be [her] husband.”

She also mentioned that they discussed what they both wanted and realized that they had a few misconceptions about their relationship. As a result, they opted to move forward in a way that worked for them both, which meant that Ina would dedicate her work efforts to her New York store, The Barefoot Contessa, while Jeffrey traveled.

She pointed out that her marriage with her husband “doesn’t have to look like anybody else’s relationship,” noting, “All of it has to just work for you. It doesn’t matter what other people think.”

One month after Scott “Carrot Top” Thompson was hospitalized after a suicide attempt that shocked the entertainment world, the comedian has issued his first statement, expressing his gratitude for all the support he’s received.

“I’m truly overwhelmed by the outpouring of love, support, prayers, and well wishes I’ve received over the past couple of weeks,” Thompson, 61, wrote in a social media post on Saturday, October 17. “Every message, text, and kind thought has meant more to me than you know. While I haven’t been able to respond to everyone individually, please know that I’ve felt your love and appreciate each and every one of you from the bottom of my heart. Thank you for being there for me during this time. It truly means the world to me! 🧡”

The post, featuring a photo of him smiling onstage, also announced that Thompson return to his residency at the Luxor, performing his first show since his mental health crisis on Monday, October 19 at 8 p.m. Fans have been flocking to Carrot Top’s comedy show in Las Vegas since 2005, making him one of the longest-tenured headliners on the Las Vegas Strip, per KLAS.

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Thompson was rushed to a hospital on the evening of September 18, following a suicide attempt at his Las Vegas home, per TMZ. The next day, his rep told People, “Mr. Thompson is recovering in the hospital and is receiving the care and support he needs. His family and those closest to him are deeply grateful for the concern, prayers and respectfully ask for privacy.”

The comedian was released from the hospital on September 26 and has been spotted attending church with his family on several occasions.

Fans and friends flooded Thompson’s post on October 17, thrilled to hear from him and eager to let him know how loved he is. One fan wrote, “The World is too dark to be without you.”

Fellow comedy greats weighed in, too, including Brad Garrett, who wrote, “We love you!!! Welcome back!!👏👏❤️” and Howie Mandel, who commented, “Love you buddy ❤️”

If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide or struggling with suicidal thoughts, help is available 24 hours a day through the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.

Bangs have always come with a catch. The first week feels like a fresh start. By week three, you’re pinning them back, fighting a cowlick first thing in the morning or bracing for a grow-out phase that will last for what feels like forever. But “whisper fringe” is the version for anyone who has been there and sworn off bangs for good.

The name started picking up steam in late summer, when people started noticing lighter, less polished bangs on celebrities like Miley Cyrus and Zoë Kravitz.

A sheer fringe offers an alternative to thick, blunt bangs, and opens the door for those who assumed bangs were off the table, including women with fine hair or a thinning hairline.

To find out who the cut works for and how to ask for it, Parade talked to celebrity hairstylist Lacy Gadegaard-West, founder and CEO of Laced Hair, who has more than 20 years of experience, and her work has appeared on the Victoria’s Secret runway and on clients including Sabrina Carpenter and Alix Earle. Her company sells hair extensions and a hair care line, and a few of her styling tips below include her own products.

She explains what sets whisper fringe apart from other bangs, which face shapes and textures it suits, what to say at the salon so you don’t walk out with a blunt cut and how to keep it airy for more than a day.

Related: I Finally Tried Castor Oil for Hair Growth—and It Surprised Me in Ways I Didn’t Expect

What Is Whisper Fringe?

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“Whisper fringe is the bang for people who are scared of bangs,” Gadegaard-West tells Parade. “It’s the softest, sheerest version of a fringe, just a veil of fine, feathery pieces that sits right at or just under the brows, so you can still see your forehead peeking through.”

That transparency is what separates it from other cuts. A blunt fringe is dense and graphic. Curtain bangs part in the middle and swing toward the cheekbones. Wispy bangs are lighter than blunt ones, but they still carry some weight and a visible line.

“Whisper fringe has no line at all,” she says. “It should look like it just grew there and happens to be gorgeous.”

Related: 7 Best Long Pixie Cuts, According to a Celebrity Hairstylist

Why Whisper Fringe Is Catching On This Fall

Fall tends to bring the urge for change. Gadegaard-West says this cut delivers that without locking you in.

“It frames your face and brings attention right to your eyes, and then it grows out beautifully and melts back into your layers in a few weeks,” she explains. “No awkward phase.”

“Honestly, I think the name is the trend, but the shift toward softer, lower-maintenance hair is here to stay,” she tells Parade. “Women are done fighting their bangs every morning.”

Related: Stylists Are Calling This ‘The Haircut of 2026,’ and It Looks Great on Women Over 50

Who Whisper Fringe Flatters Most

Dave Benett/Getty Images

Because it’s so sheer, Gadegaard-West considers it one of the most universally flattering bangs. It’s especially pretty on oval, heart-shaped and long faces, and it draws attention to the eyes and cheekbones.

Round faces can wear it too, with a small adjustment. “Keep it a touch longer and a little more open in the center so you’re not creating a horizontal line across the face,” she recommends.

The two situations that call for a conversation first are a strong cowlick at the hairline and very oily skin, since a fine fringe can split or separate quickly. “That doesn’t mean skip it,” she says. “It just means talk to your stylist about placement and length first.”

How whisper fringe works on different hair textures

The goal is the same for every texture—light, soft and see-through—but the cut changes depending on what you’re working with.

• Fine, straight hair: This is the easiest match. Gadegaard-West suggests cutting fewer pieces than you think, since fine hair can go from airy to sparse fast.
• Thick hair: It works, but your stylist will need to remove bulk underneath so the fringe stays light and doesn’t puff up.
• Wavy hair: Go slightly longer and let it bend naturally. “A little wave in a whisper fringe looks so effortless,” she says.
• Curly hair: Have it cut dry, curl by curl, and leave it longer than you want, because curls spring up. Hydration keeps the pieces defined instead of frizzy.

Is whisper fringe a good option for women over 50?

Monica Schipper/Getty Images

Gadegaard-West counts it among her favorite cuts for this age group. “A whisper fringe softens the forehead and brightens the eyes without the heaviness of a full bang,” she tells Parade.

It can also help with thinning at the hairline. A stylist can borrow a little hair from slightly farther back to create the look of fullness right at the front. When you book, ask for a soft, face-framing fringe cut longer than you think, with no hard lines.

She points out that the fringe often isn’t the issue as hair changes with age—the hair behind it is. “When the hair behind the bang is thin, even the prettiest fringe can look a little lost,” she explains.

Her company makes extensions, and she recommends a few professionally placed tape-ins to add density where it’s needed. She also stresses scalp care and uses her brand’s scalp serum daily. “Scalp care is skincare,” she says. “Healthy hair starts at the root.”

Related: The Soft-Shaping Cut Stylists ‘Absolutely’ Recommend for Women Over 50

What To Ask for at the Salon if You Want To Try Whisper Fringe

Photos help, but the details you point out matter more. Gadegaard-West suggests calling out what you love about the reference—that the forehead shows through and the ends look soft and feathery.

“Use the words ‘sheer,’ ‘airy’ and ‘see-through,’ and say clearly that you do not want a blunt or heavy bang,” she recommends. “Then ask your stylist to start longer and take less hair than they think they need. You can always take more, but you can’t put it back.”

Go easy on thinning too. Most of the softness should come from point cutting or slide cutting the ends rather than heavy thinning shears. “Over-thin a whisper fringe and it goes stringy and separates by lunchtime,” she says.

Related: 12 Best 2026 Hairstyles for Women Over 50, According to a Celebrity Stylist

How To Style Whisper Fringe

A sheer fringe doesn’t take much styling, but a few habits keep it from falling flat or getting greasy.

• Dry it first: Blow-dry the fringe while it’s still damp, using a small round brush or your fingers. Move it side to side to knock out any cowlick, then let it fall.
• Keep product light: Skip heavy creams near your bangs. Gadegaard-West warms a single drop of her brand’s hydrating oil between her palms and grazes just the ends.
• Refresh on day two: Bangs get oily first because they sit on your forehead. “Wet just the fringe at the sink, blow-dry it in 60 seconds and you’re done,” she says. On wash days, use a scalp-exfoliating shampoo to clear oil and buildup at the roots.

Up Next:

Related: 7 Best Short Hairstyles for Women Over 60 With Glasses, According to Top Stylists

Source:

• Lacy Gadegaard-West, celebrity hairstylist and founder and CEO of Laced Hair (Laced Hair Extensions, Laced Hair Care, Laced Hair Academy, Laced Hair Salon and Laced Hair Foundation)

Dancing With the Stars pro Val Chmerkovskiy is speaking out for the first time after receiving a one-week suspension from the competition over comments he made about judge Carrie Ann Inaba.

Chmerkovskiy sparked controversy the day after the show’s “Super Bowl Night,” during which Inaba offered harsh criticism of Chmerkovskiy’s wife, DWTS pro Jenna Johnson, and her celebrity partner, Harry Shum Jr.

In a since-deleted post, Chmerkovskiy reacted to Inaba’s comments, writing, “You almost saw Fresh Prince enter the ballroom last night,” seemingly referencing Will Smith slapping Chris Rock at the 2022 Oscars.

In a statement released on Saturday, Oct. 17, BBC Studios addressed the controversy, saying, “The well-being of everyone who works on Dancing with the Stars is non-negotiable. Val’s social media post was inappropriate and does not reflect the values or standards expected of anyone connected with the show. As a result, he will not participate in next week’s show.”

RELATED: Val Chmerkovskiy Slams Carrie Ann Inaba for Critiquing Jenna Johnson’s ‘DWTS’ Choreography

Chmerkovskiy’s celebrity partner, Jenna Dewan, will instead perform with Alan Bersten during the show’s annual “Dedication Night,” with a dance dedicated to Dewan’s mother, Nancy.

In a statement shared to his Instagram Story that same day, Chmerkovskiy addressed his suspension and apologized again for his comments. He had previously apologized to Inaba via Instagram after his post went viral online.

“Hi everyone. As you may have seen in the news, I won’t be in the ballroom this week,” Chmerkovskiy began. “In a moment where my instinct was to defend my wife, I made a poor decision to reference a meme to ‘keep my wife’s name’ out of the conversation, without stopping to think through what else that reference could imply, which was genuinely never my intention. Carrie Ann certainly didn’t deserve to get caught in the middle of my bad judgment, and I hate that she was.”

“The last thing I want is to become a distraction from an important week or from the incredible work my dance partner Jenna Dewan is putting in,” he continued. “Please send Carrie Ann, Jenna, and the whole DWTS family lots of love during Dedication Night. I’ll be watching and cheering everyone on!!”

DWTS airs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC and Disney+.

🪩 SIGN UP for our Dancing with the Stars newsletter to get access to exclusive news, interviews, songs, recaps & more 🪩

Amid a firestorm of controversy surrounding Dancing with the Stars pro Val Chmerkovskiy‘s social media comment aimed at judge Carrie Ann Inaba, the show has suspended him for one week, meaning he will not perform with his celebrity partner, Jenna Dewan, on Tuesday, October 20.

Deadline reported on October 17 that the show’s production company, BBC Studios, issued a statement that said, “The well-being of everyone who works on Dancing with the Stars is non-negotiable. Val’s social media post was inappropriate and does not reflect the values or standards expected of anyone connected with the show. As a result, he will not participate in next week’s show.”

Dewan will dance with DWTS pro Alan Bersten on Dedication Night, in a performance dedicated to her mother. Bersten was previously partnered with celebrity chef Giada De Laurentiis on season 35, but they were eliminated on September 22.

Chmerkovskiy landed in hot water over his reaction, posted on TikTok and later deleted, to Inaba’s critique of the October 13 performance by wife, fellow pro Jenna Johnson, and actor Harry Shum Jr.

Inaba took issue with Johnson including a “lift” in their samba routine, which is against the rules in that particular dance. When Johnson expressed surprise, Inaba dug in her heels and read the rule out loud. Chmerkovskiy could be seen in the background shaking his head in disagreement, and Inaba’s critique drew lots of debate online.

But after the live show, Chmerkovskiy took his frustration to social media, posting a mirror selfie on TikTok and writing, “You almost saw Fresh Prince enter the ballroom last night.” The remark appeared to refer to former Fresh Prince of Bel-Air star Will Smith, when he slapped comedian Chris Rock at the 2022 Oscars. After Rock made a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith‘s bald head, Smith yelled at the comedian, “Keep my wife’s name out ya [expletive] mouth!”

Many viewed Chmerkovskiy’s comment as a veiled threat of violence toward Inaba. After deleting the post, he issued a statement via social media on October 15, writing, “I want to apologize from the bottom of my heart for my recent post. I have reached out to Carrie Ann to apologize directly and personally and I also want to apologize publicly as I understand my words affect so many outside our internal DWTS family.”

“I should never have made the reference that I did and I deeply regret it,” he continued. “I recognize that I am in a fortunate position to have a platform and to be a role model to some, and I need to treat that with more care by actively pausing to think before I post to ensure what I am sharing aligns with who I am, and who I want to be for you all.”

Shortly after the announcement of Chmerkovskiy’s one-week suspension, he issued his own statement, saying that he “made a poor decision to reference a meme to ‘keep my wife’s name’ out of the conversation, without stopping to think through what else that reference could imply, which was genuinely never my intention.” He also said he didn’t want to be a distraction and that he’ll be “watching and cheering everyone on!!”

Dancing with the Stars’ next live episode airs on Tuesday, October 20 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC and Disney+.

Just six months into production of Charlie Kawas’s HGTV show, “Botched Homes,” the 44-year-old general contractor and master craftsman was diagnosed with testicular cancer.

The serious medical issue was first discovered when Kawas — a father to two teenagers, Charli and Cami, whom he shares with wife Pierra — went to the doctor for back pain. As a result, “a three-inch mass the size of a grapefruit” was found, “along with two smaller ones,” according to TV Insider. This led to multiple rounds of chemotherapy for the new HGTV host who, instead of halting production, decided to keep filming.

In September, he announced that the cancer was in remission, and he’s now opened up to TV Insider about what it was like to continue to work while enduring treatment.

“Whether I’m doing the heavy lifting or not, I’m still on the job,” Kawas said when asked whether it was difficult for him to delegate tasks to his crew and rely on others, as someone who is used to being very involved in the work.

Explaining that he’s usually “very good at problem solving” — “I call myself a professional problem solver” — he noted, “The fact that I was in a chair hooked up to an IV five hours a day, five days a week, it was very difficult to solve some of these problems. I was in a lot of pain. I didn’t have much energy. I was sleeping a lot. I was getting the calls from the chair, and I was trying to problem-solve because you have to remember I’m the main guy. I was on the job, I had all the answers, I had the designs in my head. We had some stuff on the paper, on the drawings, but a lot was in my head. So now when I’m not there, it could be challenging for some of the guys.”

“Don’t get me wrong, I do have very good guys that work with me,” he added. “But they’re used to working with me on the job, and the fact that I had to do it over the phone was very, very challenging.”

Mentioning the responsibility he had to get the job done for the owners of the home he and his team were working on, he explained, “I had to sit on a bucket a few times because I was dizzy or lightheaded or low energy. I can’t believe it, but I still made it happen.”

Kawas also discussed the reaction to his cancer diagnosis and treatment, saying, “There are many people out there who have gone through cancer, and they can relate. When you hear that someone has cancer, or had cancer, or is in remission, you have a soft spot in your heart for them because you know what they went through.”

Kawas continued by saying that he has received “a lot of positive feedback” following his experience, including well wishes regarding his health and appreciation for his show. He was sure to note, “There’s so much positivity coming from this.”

Two words said everything. After a 10-hour operation and an eight-day hospital stay, the singer generations of hard rock fans know as “The Voice of Rock” let them know he had made it home: “Gratitude beyond.”

Glenn Hughes, the 75-year-old former singer and bassist of Deep Purple and Black Sabbath, posted the update on Wednesday, Oct. 14. “Now home after an eight day stay, and a 10 hour open heart surgery, operation, at UCLA, Ronald Reagan, Medical Center,” he wrote.

Hughes said he was getting his energy back and explained that doctors had replaced his aortic valve. He called it “exactly the same procedure I had done in 2013,” making it his second aortic valve replacement.

The surgery came two months after Hughes stepped away from the stage. On Aug. 4, he announced his retirement from touring and live performances. He explained that “numerous MRIs, CT scans, and an echocardiogram” had shown he needed another open-heart surgery. “I really have no option and no choice as health is my number one priority,” he wrote at the time. “Thank you for walking beside me.”

Related: The Beatles Join Taylor Swift and Drake in the Top 10 With a 1965 Album

That decision capped a difficult year. In January, he canceled a planned six-week U.S. spring tour, citing a health issue that required his attention. A few months earlier, retirement had seemed far off. “The word retirement is something I don’t normally say,” he told radio host Eddie Trunk in August 2025, per UCR, adding, “I’ve never felt so strong.”

Hughes has been through this before. In 2013, he had surgery to replace his aortic valve and survived near-fatal complications, the following year. “For some reason I wasn’t frightened. I felt like I was going to be OK, but I’m still supremely grateful to be here,” he said. Four months after that operation, he was recording with drummer Jason Bonham for the debut album by California Breed.

His place in rock history was secure long before either surgery. After rising with the British band Trapeze, he joined Deep Purple in 1973 and shared lead vocals with David Coverdale. That lineup released Burn and Stormbringer in 1974. In the mid-1980s, he fronted Black Sabbath on 1986’s Seventh Star, a project that began as a Tony Iommi solo album. He also sang on all five Black Country Communion albums and was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame with Deep Purple in 2016.

Hughes has not shared plans beyond his recovery. His most recent solo album, Chosen, arrived in September 2025. His body of work spans more than a dozen solo releases and runs through some of rock’s most influential bands, and fans can return to it while he heals at home.

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The Shaw brothers – Colter (Justin Hartley) and Russell (Jensen Ackles) — will be reunited once again as Ackles returns to the hit CBS series to reprise his role as Russell Shaw in the Sunday, November 1 episode, entitled, “Need to Know.”

According to the tune-in information the story is: “After a military contractor’s wife and daughter are kidnapped, Colter discovers Russell is investigating a related lead. The Shaw brothers join forces to uncover a high-stakes cover-up.”

The last time Colter and Russell were together was in the Season 3 finale, when Russell agreed to take a shady job to keep Colter from finding out what was in a government file about what their father did to him. Colter is unaware, so when they reunite on Nov. 1, all is good between them.

And Ackles posted on Instagram about his return: “After a long, much needed, summer break with the fam…it does feel good to be back on a set.”

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It won’t be Ackles last appearance on Tracker, but they may be harder to come by, because as previously reported by Parade, he is signed to star in the book adaptation of John Sandford’s Rules of Prey, the first in a series of novels featuring Lucas Davenport, a former Minneapolis PD detective pulled out of seclusion when there is a series of murders designed specifically for him to solve. It is slated for streamer MGM+.

Justin Hartley as Colter Shaw and Jensen Ackles as Russell Shaw

Photo: Mike Taing/CBS

In an interview with TVInsider that took place during the filming of “Need to Know,” Hartley had some encouraging words about continued appearances by Ackles, saying, “Right now, [Jensen] is about probably 100 meters away from me. He’s in at least one, and we’ll have him back when we can. I think probably in the new year we’ll have him back for a few.”

Tracker airs Sunday nights on CBS. Streams next day on Paramount+.

Next, Jensen Ackles Sets Next TV Lead, Starring as a Brilliant Detective in MGM+’s New Crime Adaptation of a Iconic Book Series

Halloween doesn’t just fall on a Saturday in 2026. It falls on a Saturday that leads to an extra hour in bed the next day. Fall Back 2026 happens on Sunday, Nov. 1, and we have all the details on what to expect.

There are a lot of changes across North America in 2026 when it comes to daylight saving time. Not all places will get that extra hour of sleep.

When Daylight Saving Time End in 2026?

Clocks fall back on Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026. This happens at 2 a.m. in local timezones, meaning the clocks roll back to 1 a.m.

While the House of Representatives passed the U.S. Sunshine Protection Act, it has paused at the Senate, which means it’s not in effect just yet.

Where Doesn’t Fall Back 2026 Happen?

In the United States, there are a handful of states that don’t observe daylight saving time. The entire state of Hawaii doesn’t observe this, and the majority of Arizona also doesn’t change their clocks. The only part that does is the Navajo Nation.

There are some U.S. territories that don’t observe daylight saving time.

Will My Clock Automatically Fall Back?

Smartphones, watches, computers, and other digital devices that are connected to the internet will fall back automatically. All manual clocks, including the car radio clock and the oven clock, will need to be updated manually.

Do I Lose an Hour or Gain an Hour of Sleep?

The clocks falling back mean that you gain an extra hour of sleep on Sunday, Nov. 1. The sun will now rise earlier in the morning, so you will see an extra hour of daylight on a morning but one less hour on a night. 

This doesn’t change the exact amount of daylight that happens in a day, contrary to popular statements.

What Is the U.S. Sunshine Protection Act?

While the last permanent change to daylight saving time was in 2007 with the Energy Policy Act of 2025, Marco Rubio tried to bring a permanent end to the practice in 2018 with the U.S. Sunshine Protection Act. A year later, Vern Buchanan reintroduced it.

Originally, it passed in the Senate, but it was never signed into law as the House of Representatives never took on the bill and it expired. In 2026, the House of Representatives reintroduced another version of the bill with the backing of President Donald Trump, but this time the Senate has blocked it.

Arguments for ending daylight saving time is that it would reduce evening crime due to lighter evenings and lowers seasonal depression, but those against the change argue that it would mean cold and dark mornings during the commute. There have been arguments to allow states to either opt out of ending daylight savings time or allow them to switch to permanent standard time instead.

Fall Back 2026 in Canada Ends in Some Provinces and Territories

In Canada, some provinces and territories will not fall back for the first time. British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, and the North Western Territories will not fall back in 2026. They all brought an end to the clock change, meaning March 2026 was the last time they dealt with it.

The Northwestern part of Ontario that is on the same timezone as Manitoba will also stop the clock change. However, the rest of Ontario will fall back in 2026, despite the bill that passed saying they would end the practice. That only comes into effect if both New York and Quebec bring their clock changes to an end due to trade.

Season 19 American Idol winner Chayce Beckham gets in the holiday spirit with the release of his first-ever Christmas song, “White Christmas,” putting his signature country spin on the timeless holiday classic.  Crooner Bing Crosby first introduced the Irving Berlin-penned song on his NBC radio show on Christmas Day in 1941 and officially recorded it in 1942 for the movie Holiday Inn.

To make it his own, Beckham added a rich, new instrumentalization of weeping pedal steel, piano and a melancholic fiddle, and replaced symphonic strings with front-porch soul. Heartfelt vocals deliver Berlin’s nostalgic lyrics with down-home sincerity.

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“Christmas and the holiday season is my favorite time of year,” says Beckham. “When I thought of which song I wanted to release as my first-ever Christmas song, I immediately was drawn to the classic ‘White Christmas’ and putting my own stamp on the song is something I really hope the fans enjoy.”

Listen to “White Christmas” below.

In addition, Beckham recently released his new EP, Old Fashioned, featuring five original tracks co-written by Beckham. Fans can hear the new songs while Beckham is on tour this fall.

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Here’s the dates:

10/16 Birmingham, AL
10/17 Kennesaw, GA
10/22 Greensboro, NC
10/23 Newberry, SC
11/6 Denver, CO
11/7 Colorado Springs, CO
11/19 Fort Worth, TX
11/20 Buda, TX
11/21 Coupland, TX
12/5 Rootstown, OH

Next, American Idol Winner and Country Music Rising Star Releases An Impactful New Song

A previously unreleased studio recording by Grateful Dead co-founder Bobby Weir has arrived, nine months after the legend’s death, offering fans a new look at his 2016 solo album, Blue Mountain, and revealing a John Mayer contribution that never made it onto the original record.

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“The Ground Don’t Want Me” was released Friday, Oct. 16, to celebrate Weir’s 79th birthday. The track was recorded during the sessions for Blue Mountain, which came out in September 2016, but Jam Bands says it remained unreleased until now.

View this post on Instagram John Mayer Plays Acoustic Lead Guitar on the Unreleased Track

Mayer, who began performing with Weir in Dead & Company in fall 2015, plays acoustic lead guitar on “The Ground Don’t Want Me.” His appearance is notable because he didn’t officially perform on the original Blue Mountain album, despite already working with Weir onstage.

Weir handles lead vocals and acoustic and electric guitar on the recording. His accompanists include Jay Lane on drums and percussion; Josh Kaufman on electric guitar, mandolin, harmonica, and Hammond organ; and Robin Sylvester on bass and backing vocals. Leslie Mendelson and Annie Nero also contribute backing vocals.

Singer-songwriter Josh Ritter wrote the lyrics, with music credited to Ritter, Kaufman, and Weir. Ritter later released his own interpretation as the lead track on his 2019 album, Fever Breaks.

The Song Is Part of a ‘Blue Mountain’ Anniversary Celebration

The release arrives ahead of Blue Mountain: 10th Anniversary Deluxe Edition, scheduled for release through Rhino on Nov. 20. The expanded edition will include additional previously unreleased studio recordings and live performances from Weir’s fall 2016 Campfire Tour.

The original Blue Mountain explored the American West through songs shaped by traditional cowboy music and storytelling. Weir drew on memories of working on a Wyoming ranch as a teenager, experiences that helped inform the album’s landscapes, characters, and themes.

The project also brought Weir together with Kaufman, a musician and producer known for his work with Bonny Light Horseman, and Ritter, whose songwriting helped shape the album’s distinctive sound.

Kaufman previously reflected on the collaboration, saying, “Having the chance to work intimately with Bobby Weir on his album Blue Mountain was a dream for me.” He added that Weir’s openness and collaborative spirit were evident throughout the recording sessions.

A New Look at Bobby Weir’s Solo Work

Originally released Sept. 30, 2016, Blue Mountain marked Weir’s first album consisting entirely of original material in more than 30 years. Weir and Kaufman co-produced it, and members of The National contributed, including Aaron Dessner, Bryce Dessner, and Scott Devendorf.

The upcoming deluxe edition will pair newly available studio material with recordings from Weir’s Campfire Tour, giving fans a broader look at how the album’s songs evolved from studio recordings to live performances.

Alongside the expanded edition, a new 180-gram, two-LP vinyl reissue of the original Blue Mountain became available Oct. 16, exclusively through dead.net.

Related: Grammy-Nominated Music Producer Shared Troubling Videos From the Streets Days Before His Death: ‘Get Help, Lucian’

Hit up Barnes & Noble to find the memoir you should read, according to your birth month. Not to be confused with autobiographies, memoirs are poignant personal perspectives highlighting a significant event or chapter in an author’s life. Although memoirs may highlight only a portion of an individual’s life, that doesn’t make them any less impactful. Reading a memoir can teach you so much about life, as well as yourself. However, finding a memoir that resonates is another challenge. Luckily, numerology can help.

The Memoir You Should Read, Based on Your Birth Date

Check if your date of birth is listed. Disregard birth months.

Born on the 1st, 10th, 19th, and 28th: Solito: A Memoir by Javier Zamora

A journey awaits those born on the 1st, 10th, 19th, and 28th. According to numerology, these birth dates are guided by the courageous and independent spirit of 1. Being ruled by 1 means those born on these dates aren’t afraid to meet challenges head-on because they’re ready for a life-changing adventure. Their bravery and willpower are reflected in Solito: A Memoir by Javier Zamora, which follows Zamora’s migration from El Salvador to the United States to reunite with his parents. Although Zamora was only nine years old when he started his journey, he persevered with fierce hopefulness. These birth dates cannot help but empathize with Zamora’s fearlessness and tenacity while reading Solito. 

Born on the 2nd, 11th, 20th, and 29th: Everything I Know About Love by Dolly Alderton

Heart-centered, deep connections are important to individuals born on the 2nd, 11th, 20th, and 29th. These birth dates align with the moon and 2, so they’re known to be sensitive, nostalgic folks. Luckily, Everything I Know About Love by Dolly Alderton is the perfect memoir for these empathetic birth dates. Alderton’s reflections on life, friendship, family, romance, and personal growth are equally profound as they are heart wrenching. These birth dates cannot help but laugh and cry going through Alderton’s recounts of navigating her twenties. Whether these birth dates reread Everything I Know About Love for the hilarious dating mishaps or witty lists, they’ll always find something new to take away from this memoir.

Born on the 3rd, 12th, 21st, and 30th: Raising Hare: A Memoir by Chloe Dalton

People born on the 3rd, 12th, 21st, and 30th look for meaningful experiences to deepen their worldview and connection to nature. They’re co-ruled by philosophical Jupiter and buoyant 3, so these birth dates are curious, intentional individuals. They understand that there’s always a greater lesson to take away, so they’ll be delighted by Chloe Dalton’s moving memoir, Raising Hare. This memoir follows Dalton’s journey raising a wild, abandoned leveret—a.k.a. a baby hare—during lockdown. People born on these dates will be touched by the lessons and experiences Dalton goes through while raising a wild hare. Raising Hare is poignant, masterful, and insightful—perfect for those born on these dates. 

Born on the 4th, 13th, 22nd, and 31st: Maid: Hard Work, Low Pay, and a Mother’s Will to Survive by Stephanie Land

Hard workers are born on the 4th, 13th, 22nd, and 31st. These individuals are driven by innovative Uranus and tenacious 4. People born on these dates march to the beat of their own drum. However, these birth dates are also realistic and disciplined as they pursue an authentic path. While many memoirs complement their originality and determination, Maid: Hard Work, Low Pay, and a Mother’s Will to Survive by Stephanie Land perfectly aligns with these birth dates. Land’s memoir follows her harrowing journey to overcome poverty while going after her dreams to become a writer. Maid is gritty and surprisingly familiar, since these birth dates can appreciate Land’s perseverance to get out of poverty. 

Born on the 5th, 14th, and 23rd: Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris

Individuals born on the 5th, 14th, and 23rd want something witty and humorous. They’re influenced by Mercury, the astrological planet of intellect and communication, along with numerology’s 5. Between these correspondences, they’re impartial to a memoir that has variety. David Sedaris’ Me Talk Pretty One Day has the sarcasm and reflectiveness these birth dates crave in a memoir. This collection of personal essays follows Sedaris’ plight from home life to France, and everything in between. Me Talk Pretty One Day is as raw and tender as it is amusing. These birth dates won’t be able to resist Sedaris’ self-deprecating sense of humor and quirky insightfulness.

Born on the 6th, 15th, and 24th: Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner

People born on the 6th, 15th, and 24th need to pick up tissues when they read their memoir. Given that they’re influenced by 6’s family-focused energy and Venus’s loving nature, these birth dates create exceptionally deep bonds with their loved ones. Although there are many poignant memoirs about family life, Michelle Zauner’s Crying in H Mart is the best pick for these birth dates. Zauner reflects on her complicated, but ultimately loving relationship as her mother battles terminal cancer. Crying in H Mart is a masterful, emotionally moving memoir that highlights how culture, heritage, and food plays into family dynamics. Reading Zauner’s debut novel will be an emotional catharsis these birth dates didn’t know they needed. 

Born on the 7th, 16th, and 25th: Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Album

Choosing to read someone’s personal narrative is a deep experience for those born on the 7th, 16th, and 25th. These birth dates are influenced by wise 7 and empathetic Neptune, so they’re deeply sensitive individuals. They understand that a memoir can hold a wealth of knowledge that can touch so many lives—including theirs. While there are many profound novels, Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Album is the perfect combination of personal reflection and life lessons. Album recounts the wisdom and advice learned from visiting Morrie, his dying professor. People born on these dates will find immense purpose and intentionality as they sit with Morrie and Album while reading this touching memoir. 

READ: The Book Title of Your Life’s Story, Based on Birth Month

Born on the 8th, 17th, and 26th: Strangers: A Memoir of Marriage by Belle Burden

Individuals born on the 8th, 17th, and 26th look for the latest and greatest memoir to read. People born on these dates are impartial to juicy memoirs focused on taboo subjects, like intimacy and money, given that they’re aligned with 8 and Saturn. They’ll find everything they want and more in Strangers: A Memoir of Marriage by Belle Burden. People born on these dates cannot deny that Burden’s reflection of her marriage and divorce is equally engrossing as it is insightful. Not only will these birth dates enjoy diving deep into the financial component, they’ll also be riveted by the rise and fall of a seemingly perfect marriage. Strangers is wildly popular for a reason, and these birth dates can attest to why.

Born on the 9th, 18th, and 27th: I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou

Similar to other birth dates, people who are born on the 9th, 18th, and 27th are intentional about the memoirs they read. According to numerology, these birth dates embody the eternal, esoteric wisdom of 9. They’re often described as wholesome, accepting individuals who can look past what meets the eye. Given their sageness and perception, these birth dates will feel called to read I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou. Most don’t have the emotional intelligence or depth to sit with such a poignant, powerful memoir, but these birth dates are up for the challenge. Be rest assured that these birth dates will be all the better once finishing Angelou’s memoir. 

Several famous breakthroughs happened by accident, including the beloved summer treat, the iconic Popsicle, which was invented by 11-year-old Frank Epperson.

In 1905, Epperson discovered the frozen treat after mixing sugary soda powder with water using a wooden stirring stick and leaving the mixture out overnight on his porch in Oakland, California.

The next day, he found the mixture frozen solid and discovered that pulling out the stick revealed an icy, sweet treat. He eagerly devoured it, licking the frozen mixture off the wooden stick.

Initially called it “Epsicle,” it was formed by combining his surname with “icicle.”

Epperson made the treat for his friends but eventually began selling it to children in his neighborhood.

After years of success, he expanded his business beyond the neighborhood in 1923, selling the treat at a nearby amusement park called Neptune Beach or the “West Coast Coney Island,” where snow cones also made its debut.

In 1924, as sales of his frozen treat flourished, Epperson applied for a patent, describing it as a “frozen confection of attractive appearance, which can be conveniently consumed without contamination by contact with the hand and without the need for a plate, spoon, fork or other implement.”

Epperson’s children also played a major role in the evolution of the beloved confectionery, encouraging him to change its name from Epsicle to Pop’s ‘Sicle, which eventually became the iconic Popsicle.

Popsicle inventor Frank Epperson, 78, and granddaughter Nancy Epperson, 5, celebrate the 50th anniversary of his invention.

Getty Images

Despite the frozen treat’s growing hype, Epperson struggled financially, eventually prompting him to sell the rights to the Popsicle to the Joe Lowe Co. in 1925.

“I was flat and had to liquidate all my assets,” he later said, expressing his regret over his decision, per NPR. He added, “I haven’t been the same since.”

The Lowe Co. introduced the two-stick version of the Popsicle for 5 cents, helping consumers stretch their money’s worth amid the Great Depression.

After World War II, Popsicles grew even more popular as more households could afford freezers and refrigerators.

Throughout the decades, Popsicle changed ownership several times as it became part of larger ice cream companies.

Unilever acquired the brand in 1989, and it is now part of The Magnum Ice Cream Company, which became an independent, publicly traded company in December 2025.

Today, Popsicle remains a recognizable name in frozen treats, with more than two billion ice pops sold annually. According to the brand’s official website, cherry remains its most popular flavor.

Related: In 1937, Margaret Rudkin baked whole wheat bread for her asthmatic son; 24 years later she sold Pepperidge Farm to Campbell Soup for $28 million

You may draw a blank when you see the section to record your family medical history at the doctor’s office. You’ve likely heard that it’s important to know about any diseases that run in the family, like heart disease and breast cancer, which are life-threatening and can have a genetic component. However, you may have little to no details about whether family members had these conditions, and what you do know may be vague.

You’re not alone. A recent U.S. study found that nearly 95% of adults believed family health history was important. Yet, only 15% said they were actively collecting it.

“Stigma can interfere with sharing information within the family,” says Dr. Deborah Cragun, Ph.D., CGC, MS, an associate professor of genetic counseling at USF.

Dr. Cragun wants more people to get a comprehensive family health history, pointing to research showing it’s one of the simplest tools for determining whether you’d benefit from prevention, screening or genetic evaluation for certain conditions. In other words, it’s not hyperbolic to say that knowing your family health history is life-saving.

It’s also extremely helpful if you’re seeing a genetic counselor.

“You don’t need to know everything about your family before seeing a genetic counselor. However, the more you know, the better,” Dr. Cragun says. “We can start with what you know and help figure out which missing pieces matter most.”

She often tells people to start with one key piece of family health history many people miss. She reveals it (and a few others) below, plus how to fill in the gaps for your family health history.

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Most People Are Missing This Key Piece of Their Family Health History, Genetic Counselor Says

Dr. Cragun says it’s critical to know the age (or age range) at which a family member developed a disease. “The age at which someone develops a disease can change how we interpret it,” she explains. “Knowing the age at diagnosis can determine the need for genetic counseling or genetic testing and whether screening should start earlier.”

The CDC also recommends collecting both the diagnosis and the approximate age when symptoms began or a diagnosis was made. Dr. Cragun emphasizes that it is helpful to know even an approximate age like “early 40s” or “around 60.”

“A mother who first develops breast cancer at age 38 is much more likely to have an inherited cancer risk gene than one who first develops breast cancer at 67,” she says. “Heart risk is similar. A heart attack at age 40 may make us more concerned about an inherited condition than a first heart attack at 78.”

Dr. Cragun adds that people with family members who developed diabetes in their 30s or 40s have a different “family story” than people whose relatives developed the disease in their 70s or 80s.

She reports that a lot of people “remember the family story but not the medical details.” For instance, she’ll hear things like, “My grandpa had a heart attack” or “My aunt had breast cancer,” but can’t answer a follow-up question about age.

Still, research suggests that fewer than 4% of primary-care records had family histories that were detailed enough to accurately assess a person’s risk for common complex diseases. And in a recent national survey, about two-thirds of adults reported that collecting family history was somewhat or very difficult. About three-quarters of the people who struggled were no longer in contact with their relatives, or the family members had died.

“In my own research of people with hereditary cancer, a lack of contact or closeness with relatives is a major reason people have given us for not sharing their genetic test results with family members,” Dr. Cragun says.

Related: The One Thing That’s More Important for Longevity Than Your Genes

How To Learn More About Your Family Health History

It’s not too late to start filling in the gaps for your family health history. Dr. Cragun shared tips for gathering the information you need to support your own health.

• Ask family members. Dr. Cragun says this is the easiest place to start. “Instead of ‘Did Grandma have cancer?’ ask ‘About how old was she when she was diagnosed?’” she suggests. “Even a rough estimate can be useful.”
• Speak to more than one relative. Double- or triple-sourcing family health history can help you gain more accurate information. “Different people often remember different pieces of the story,” Dr. Cragun says. “Sometimes asking when symptoms started, how old the person was when they died or what else was happening in the family at the time can help narrow down the age.”
• Look at other sources. If someone has died, Dr. Cragun says you can look for an obituary, death certificate or old medical paperwork. “Medical records can help if you’re authorized to access them,” she adds.

“And don’t give up because there are gaps,” she emphasizes. “Almost everyone has gaps in their family history. I only found out in 2017 about an important heart condition in my own family, despite my attempts to ask detailed health questions. Even a few additional details can give you and your healthcare providers useful information about your health risks.”

Related: Ask a Brain Health Expert: 10 Questions About Alzheimer’s You’ve Been Too Afraid To Ask

Other Key Pieces of Family Health History to Know

Beyond the approximate age of diagnosis, Dr. Cragun says people often don’t have a few key pieces of family health history. She revealed them below (and shared why they’re important).

1. Relatives outside of the immediate family who had illness

Your mom may not have had breast cancer, but what about an aunt? Dr. Cragun says genetic counselors (and you) benefit from knowing this information.

“Grandparents, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, half-siblings and cousins can help fill in important gaps in information, which matters because a pattern may not be obvious if you look only at the people closest to you,” Dr. Cragun says. “Information about an inherited cancer risk, for example, can be very important to relatives. Cousins and other more distant relatives may have inherited the same gene too.”

2. The actual diagnosis

“Cancer” and “heart disease” are broad terms.

“It can help to ask, ‘What kind of cancer was it?’ or ‘Where did the cancer start?’” Dr. Cragun says. “If no one remembers the exact diagnosis, ask about symptoms and treatments.”

Dr. Cragun says other helpful resources include:

• Medical records
• Pathology reports
• Genetic test reports
• Death certificates or conversations with other relatives

“For cancer in particular, an old pathology report can be much more useful than a family recollection that someone had ‘female cancer’ or ‘stomach cancer,’” Dr. Cragun notes.

3. Mental health conditions

Dr. Cragun says that mental health and addiction are also important pieces of family health history that people have trouble getting.

“Topics can carry a lot of stigma, so families may be less likely to talk openly about them,” she says. “People may also not realize that substance use can sometimes be related to attempts to cope with anxiety, depression, trauma or other mental health conditions.”

Related: ‘I’m a Rheumatologist—This Is the One Thing People Forget To Mention About Their Family History’

Sources:

• Dr. Deborah Cragun, Ph.D., CGC, MS, an associate professor of genetic counseling at USF
• Family health history: underused for actionable risk assessment. Lancet.
• Family Health History and Adults. CDC.
• Knowledge, Perceptions, and Barriers to the Collection of Family Health History Data. Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine.
• Collection of family health history for assessment of chronic disease risk in primary care. North Carolina Medical Journal.

Glenn Close gave New York City a little movie-history moment during her most recent outing.

The jacket the actress was wearing offered a nostalgic nod to one of Close’s best-known films, but it was the cane she used to walk that caught fans’ attention.

Close’s jacket featured the New York Knights, the fictional baseball team from The Natural, the 1984 sports drama starring Robert Redford. Close played Iris Gaines, whose story is tied to Redford’s character, Roy Hobbs. In the film, Hobbs returns to baseball as a rookie for the Knights, an underdog team hoping to make a run at the pennant.

The blue jacket featured cream sleeves and had the logo on the front. Close took a second to pose for paparazzi, handing her cane to someone to take so she could properly put her hands in her pockets and smile for the cameras.

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A post shared by Keri | NYC Content Creator (@keri_nyc)

While the homage to The Natural was interesting, fans seemed more concerned about Close’s health.

“Is she playing a role or is that how she walks now?” one person asked in the comments of an Instagram post sharing her appearance.

“Did she said what happened to her?? 🥺🥺,” another wondered.

A third said, “I knew it was Glenn Close right away! She looks great! And for those of you asking, “What happened to her?”….it’s called aging and from her smiles and laughter, she’s having a great time! ❤️”

READ MORE: Mike Myers Shares Bold Message With Shirt In New Photo and the Internet Has Thoughts

One fan suggested, “She had a recent hip replacement,” but we couldn’t find a reliable source confirming that she underwent the procedure or explaining why she was using a cane.

Close was also in New York for the October 15 opening-night screening of La Bola Negra at NewFest. The film, which features Close and Penélope Cruz, opened the 38th annual New York LGBTQ+ Film Festival.

She has another high-profile film role ahead, too. Close will play Drusilla Sickle in The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, the upcoming prequel to the popular franchise.
Clearly, she’s not slowing down any time soon.

October brings the start of sweater weather (or my favorite – leather weather), not to mention cuffing season. It’s also the start of cold and flu season, so V8 Energy is covering both moods with two different tastes: It’s warming fans up with spiced apple cider and adding a little vitamin C and zinc to the mix.

The brand is releasing two limited-edition flavors for fall and winter. The first is a familiar face: Spiced Apple Cider, a blend of sweet apple cider and cinnamon. It debuted in 2024 and became one of V8 Energy’s top-performing limited-edition flavors. It’s back in stores this October, at a suggested retail price of $5.12 for a 6-pack of 8-ounce cans.

The second is brand new. Tangerine, arriving in late October, is the first V8 Energy drink to be an excellent source of both vitamin C and zinc. Those two nutrients play a role in the immune system, according to the National Institutes of Health. Cameron Flacco, a senior director at The Campbell’s Company, which owns V8, said the brand paired the nutrients with a bright citrus flavor because many people look for easy ways to add them to their routines during the winter months.

The timing tracks with what shoppers are reaching for. Apple cider was named a leading fall flavor by 46% of consumers, according to Food Business News. Meanwhile, searches for tangerine-flavored beverages are up 10%, and a 2026 EY survey found that 65% of millennials and 63% of Gen Z choose drinks with benefits beyond hydration.

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Both flavors share V8 Energy’s usual formula: 80 milligrams of caffeine from black and green tea, about the same as a cup of coffee, plus a combined serving of vegetables and fruit in every can.

Whether you’re team cozy cider or team bright citrus, you’ll want to move quickly. Both flavors are only available while supplies last at retailers nationwide and online.